Xingcheng Night Sky

When Chun Zhu, Zhao Xingtian, and Black Ox came down.

Lu Changfeng was engrossed in reading a gossip newspaper.

Among the major martial arts newspapers in Jiangnan Prefecture, [Hundred Knowledge Thousand Knows] published by the Thousand Knowledge Sect was the most official.

Its monthly updates on the prefecture's overall strength rankings, the nation's overall strength rankings, swordsmanship rankings, spiritual artifact rankings, and so on, were all recognized as authoritative.

However, Lu Changfeng, who had already planned to live in seclusion, wasn't very interested in these matters.

The [Wind Flower Snow Moon] published by the Flowery Stream Sect in his hand seemed to suit his taste perfectly.

It recorded secret scandals, strange events, and scandalous tales from various sects and factions in Jiangnan Prefecture, which seemed even more captivating than the novels on Qidian in his previous life.

After all, although the writing in [Wind Flower Snow Moon] was exaggerated, it was indeed based on reality, making it somewhat different from pure fantasy novels.

Most importantly, you could actually find the protagonists of certain stories and inquire about the truth of the events.

Seeing Lu Changfeng so engrossed, Chun Zhu and the other two also picked up newspapers to read.

As soon as they started reading, they were captivated.

They thought to themselves, why hadn't such wonderful new things spread to Yunyang Prefecture?

Chun Zhu was reading a newspaper published by a female-led sect, aimed at female martial artists.

Zhao Xingtian was naturally reading [Hundred Knowledge Thousand Knows], desperately searching for his name.

As for Black Ox.

The kid was illiterate. He held the newspaper upside down, read it for a few minutes, found it uninteresting, and buried his head in eating.

Lu Changfeng also put away his newspaper. After a hearty meal, he took Black Ox to inquire about the water route to Jiangcheng.

Traveling by water was faster, and one could enjoy some comfort on the boat instead of enduring the hardship of riding a horse.

Jiangnan Prefecture had a rich network of waterways.

Out of the thirty-six cities, thirty-three, excluding those three, had interconnected waterways.

Xingcheng's city center had a river.

Lu Changfeng and the other man arrived at the river and, after some inquiries, found a cargo ship going directly to Jiangzhou.

The cargo ship had three levels. The bottom two were for cargo, and the top level could accommodate passengers.

Going downstream, they would have to change to several rivers through tributaries, and it would take six days to reach Jiangzhou.

Lu Changfeng booked his cabin and arranged to board the ship at the dock early the next morning.

After arranging their travel plans.

Lu Changfeng and the other man returned to the inn to rest.

While idle at the inn, Lu Changfeng practiced [Bloodthirsty Saber] a few times.

With the talent of [Blade Supremacy], his progress in this saber technique was extremely rapid.

Lu Changfeng also wanted to practice [Heavenly Body Tempering Blade Technique], but unfortunately, the raw iron great saber had not been forged yet.

He would have to wait until he reached Jiangcheng to find a blacksmith to reforge it before he could practice.

The night was deep.

Lu Changfeng pondered how to cultivate in seclusion in Jiangzhou. Should he fulfill his Master's wish and open the Changle Martial Arts School?

Or should he join a certain faction?

In reality, Lu Changfeng had many options now. With Zhao Xingtian by his side, he had found the best candidate for replicating Bone Structure.

However, Lu Changfeng also knew that Zhao Xingtian wouldn't stay by his side for long.

Having inherited the complete [Heavenly Body Tempering Blade Technique] from the 'Giant Elephant Woman,' Lu Changfeng naturally understood the real reason Zhao Xingtian stayed by his side.

Lu Changfeng slowly fell asleep, his body exhausted.

In a room on the same floor, a window was gently opened.

A figure lightly used the windowsill for leverage and leaped onto the inn's rooftop.

"Young Sect Master." A swordsman was already waiting on the rooftop and bowed respectfully to the newcomer.

The person who had just leaped onto the rooftop was Zhao Xingtian!

"What is it?" Zhao Xingtian asked coldly.

The swordsman quickly lowered his head and said, "The Sect Master learned that you, Young Sect Master, are going to Jiangzhou and advises you to return to Luocheng as soon as possible. Jiangzhou is too far from Luocheng, and the sect's influence cannot protect you there."

"I know that. I will act discreetly in Jiangnan Prefecture."

"Condensing Jade Bone relies on inner peace. If protecting that guy didn't bring me inner peace and help my Jade Bone condense quickly, why would I stay by the side of a mere ordinary Blood Tempering Martial Artist?"

"I cannot return for the time being."

Zhao Xingtian lied to the swordsman. The longer he spent with Lu Changfeng, the less he understood him.

Lu Changfeng's talent, ambition, and perseverance were the strongest he had ever seen.

Especially after learning Lu Changfeng's true age the day before yesterday, he realized that this kid completely surpassed him in Bone Structure and talent.

Zhao Xingtian knew that Lu Changfeng would definitely not be an ordinary person in the future.

The more he couldn't understand Lu Changfeng, the more he couldn't figure out why Luo Xingyun was willing to return to the sect back then, and even pass on the Moon Chasing Sword Seed to him before he died.

He had a peerless prodigy right by his side.

Was it because I was his disciple?

But ten years ago, Luo Xingyun didn't want to take me with him.

Was it because he thought I would get more resources in the sect?

Now that the person was gone, and Luo Xingyun had even fully passed on the Moon Chasing Sword Seed to Zhao Xingtian before he died, he hadn't left a single dying word.

He fell into a whirlpool of thoughts.

Zhao Xingtian felt a tightness in his chest, as if he couldn't breathe.

In this state of mind, if he left Lu Changfeng, Zhao Xingtian's Jade Bone wouldn't know when it would be completely tempered.

Lu Changfeng, oh Lu Changfeng, you are truly a poison.

Zhao Xingtian waved his hand, dismissing the swordsman. "Your cultivation is far inferior to mine now. There's no need for you to follow me. Return to the Xuanyuan Sword Sect and go into seclusion in the secret realm to cultivate."

The swordsman hesitated for a moment, then seeing the Young Sect Master's impatient gaze, he cupped his fists and left using his lightness skill.

Zhao Xingtian looked up at the sky. A full moon hung high, its light illuminating the world as brightly as day.

"Appreciating the moon alone?"

Lu Changfeng slowly climbed up through the stairs of the skylight.

"No, I was just saying a few words to my Sword Servant," Zhao Xingtian replied calmly.

"Sword Servant? What's that?" Lu Changfeng asked curiously.

Zhao Xingtian took a shallow breath and slowly began to explain.

It turned out that every Sect Master of the Xuanyuan Sword Sect had a Sword Servant.

This Sword Servant would be chosen when the Sect Master was still the Young Sect Master, and they would voluntarily become the Sect Master's Sword Servant.

From that day on, the Sword Servant would dedicate their entire being to becoming that person's subordinate.

The Sword Servant would cultivate the same techniques as their master, obey only that person's commands, follow them like a shadow, and, when necessary, be prepared to die in their place.

"Can I meet your Sword Servant?" Lu Changfeng asked curiously.

"I sent him away," Zhao Xingtian replied sullenly.

Lu Changfeng rolled his eyes. "Didn't you just say that a Sword Servant must follow you like a shadow?"

"His cultivation is far inferior to mine. Following me is meaningless. It's better for him to go back and cultivate properly, so that when I inherit the position of Sect Master in the future, he won't still be lagging behind in strength," Zhao Xingtian explained.

Lu Changfeng nodded in understanding.

"How long will you stay in Jiangzhou with me?"

Zhao Xingtian estimated the condensation speed of his Jade Bone. "About half a year."

"Aren't you going to ask how I knew you were leaving?"

"You're a peerless prodigy. You'll know what you need to know," Zhao Xingtian said.

Lu Changfeng was momentarily speechless. He calculated that half a year was enough time to replicate Zhao Xingtian's Bone Structure several times over. He should be satisfied.

"Never mind. We'll take a boat tomorrow. I get seasick sometimes. I'm going down to rest now." Lu Changfeng turned and left.

As he walked down the stairs, Zhao Xingtian's voice came from above, "You don't need to worry. Whether it's now or in the future, between you and me, it will be like it is between you and my Master."

The only response Zhao Xingtian received was a long yawn.